Patiala, 18 April (Sports Desk)
The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will introduce five dynamic sports to the program: baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse, and squash. Whether you’re new to these sports or a seasoned fan, knowing the top teams and storylines is the key to enjoying the action. Here’s your guide to the nations and athletes to watch at LA28, ensuring you’re ready to cheer like a pro
Baseball/Softball: A Battle of Titans
Baseball and softball return to the Olympic stage, with baseball in Los Angeles and softball in Oklahoma City’s premier ballpark. Japan and the United States dominate the conversation, with Japan sweeping both golds at Tokyo 2020.
Key Storylines
- Men’s Baseball: Japan’s Shohei Ohtani, a Los Angeles Dodgers star, famously struck out Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout to win the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Could LA28 deliver a rematch? The U.S. holds home-field advantage, but Cuba (three Olympic titles), the Republic of Korea, the Dominican Republic, and Chinese Taipei remain formidable. Emerging nations like Mexico, Venezuela, Great Britain, Czechia, and the Netherlands are also gaining ground.
- Women’s Softball: The U.S. boasts three Olympic golds and 12 Women’s Softball World Cup titles, but Japan, with four World Cup wins, including 2024, is a fierce rival. Canada, Chinese Taipei, Italy, China, Australia, and New Zealand add depth to the field.
Cricket: A Global Comeback
Cricket returns to the Olympics for the first time since 1900, featuring fast-paced T20 tournaments for men and women. Born in England, the sport now thrives globally, with powerhouses spanning multiple continents.
watch……India, Olympic Medals in Hockey
Key Storylines
- Men’s Cricket: India, the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup champions, will challenge England (Team GB), winners in 2010 and 2022. Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are also podium contenders.
- Women’s Cricket: Australia dominates with six Women’s T20 World Cup titles, but New Zealand’s 2024 victory over South Africa signals a shifting landscape. England, the 2009 champions, remains a threat.
Flag Football: A High-Energy Debut
Flag football, a non-contact version of American football, makes its Olympic debut in the NFL’s homeland. The U.S. is the team to beat, but global competition is heating up.
Key Storylines
- Men’s Flag Football: The U.S., led by quarterback Darrell “Housh” Doucette, won their sixth world title in 2024 and gold at The World Games 2022. Austria (2024 silver) and Japan are rising challengers.
- Women’s Flag Football: The U.S. women are world No. 1, but Mexico, led by captain Diana Flores—a global ambassador for the sport—stunned them to win gold at The World Games 2022. Canada and Germany are also in the mix.
Lacrosse: A Historic Return
Lacrosse, rooted in Indigenous North American traditions, returns to the Olympics after over a century, using the high-speed sixes format. The U.S. and Canada dominate, but the field is evolving.
Key Storylines
- Men’s Lacrosse: The U.S. has 11 world titles, but Canada swept both sixes golds at The World Games 2022, defeating the U.S. in the finals. The Haudenosaunee Nationals, representing Indigenous communities, have earned three consecutive world bronze medals.
- Women’s Lacrosse: The U.S. has nine world titles, but Canada’s 2022 sixes win shows their strength. Australia (two world titles) and England are also competitive, with Japan gaining ground.
Squash: A Long-Awaited Debut
Squash makes its Olympic debut at LA28, bringing a fast-paced racket sport to the global stage. Egypt leads the pack, but emerging challengers are closing the gap.
Key Storylines
- Men’s Squash: Egypt’s Ali Farag, a four-time world champion, dominates, with six of the last seven world finals featuring Egyptian players. Peru’s Diego Elias and New Zealand’s Paul Coll are rising threats.
- Women’s Squash: Egypt’s Nour El Sherbini, with seven world titles, and Nouran Gohar are the players to beat. England’s Georgina Kennedy, Malaysia’s Nicol David (retired but influential), and the U.S.’s Olivia Weaver add depth.l.
